The Tenchika lights in Fukuoka and the Kumamoto Castle lighting are already on, and the other places here open between October 30 and November 20. This guide compares eight places: the Tenjin Underground Mall (Tenchika) anniversary lights, teamLab at Fukuoka Castle Ruins, four Christmas Advent sites in Fukuoka City, Kokura in Kitakyushu, and Kumamoto Castle’s night lighting. Dates and hours are the 2026 announcements on each official page. Plans can change, so check the page before you go.
In short
- Already lit: the Tenchika anniversary illumination, September 5 to December 25, 2026.
- Opening dates: teamLab on October 30, Nakasu on November 2, the Hakata Station market on November 7, Hikari no Forest on November 12, the Tenjin City Hall West market on November 14 and Kokura on November 20.
- Entry is free at the Christmas Advent sites in Fukuoka City and at the Kokura Christmas Market, according to their official pages. teamLab is the only place here with ticket prices on its official page.
- The Christmas Advent pages say cars and motorbikes cannot enter or park at any site. The four Christmas Advent sites in Fukuoka City are each within about 5 minutes on foot of a subway or Nishitetsu station, and the Hakata site is right outside JR Hakata Station.
- Kumamoto: we found no 2026 announcement for the downtown illumination or a station market. Kumamoto Castle is lit all night for now, according to the city.
Checked with official pages on October 11, 2026.
The table puts all eight places side by side. Tap a name to jump to its section. Hours use the 24-hour clock, and “25:00” means 1:00 a.m. the next morning.
| Place | Dates | Hours | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenchika | Sep 5–Dec 25 | 5:30–25:00 | Not stated |
| teamLab | Oct 30–Jan 11 | 18:15–22:00 | Ticket, ¥2,300 or ¥2,500 (adult) |
| Nakasu | Nov 2–Jan 12 | 17:00–25:00 | Free |
| Hakata Station | Nov 7–Dec 25 | 16:00 or 12:00–23:00 | Free |
| Hikari no Forest | Nov 12–Dec 25 | 17:00 or 12:00–22:00 | Free |
| Tenjin City Hall West | Nov 14–Dec 26 | 17:00 or 12:00–23:00 | Free |
| Kokura | Nov 20–Jan 11 | 17:00–23:00 | Market free |
| Kumamoto Castle | Nightly | All night for now | Not stated |
“Not stated” means the official pages we checked do not give that item. Where two start times are listed, the earlier one is for weekends and holidays. Dates run into 2027 for teamLab, Nakasu and Kokura.
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1. Tenchika 50th anniversary illumination, Fukuoka City
Tenjin Underground Mall (Tenchika)
Tenjin Underground Mall (Tenchika) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. For the occasion it set up an illumination in the Third Street information plaza. The mall says the lights show its 50 years as a path of 25,000 lights. The lights run from September 5 to December 25, 2026, every day from 5:30 to 25:00. On the first day they were due to start at about 11:30. The mall notes that this can change without notice.
- Anniversary monument: the same plaza has a monument called Richesse, unveiled on September 5. A light show runs from the top of each hour between 9:00 and 21:00.
- Getting there: get off at Tenjin Station (subway Kuko Line), Tenjin-Minami Station (subway Nanakuma Line) or Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station. Tenchika also lists Nishitetsu bus stops near its entrances.
- Cost: not stated on the pages we checked.
Place: Tenjin Underground Mall, Third Street information plaza, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City. The official pages we checked give no phone number for the lights. Google Maps
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2. teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027, Fukuoka City
teamLab (official site)
teamLab turns the grounds and stone walls of the Fukuoka Castle Ruins in Maizuru Park into a night art space. The artworks react to wind, rain and the people who walk through them. The official page lists works such as Enso on Ancient Stone Wall, Ever Blossoming Life Tree and Stone Steps of Oblivion. The run is October 30, 2026 to January 11, 2027, and the last entry is 21:30. Hours are 18:30 to 22:00 from October 30 to November 6, 18:15 to 22:00 from November 7 to December 31, and 18:30 to 22:00 from January 1 to 11. The page says hours may be adjusted for the best viewing conditions.
- Tickets, weekdays (except December 29–31): adults ¥2,300, junior and senior high school students ¥1,300, elementary school students ¥700, preschool children free. No time slot is needed. A weekday pair ticket for two people is ¥4,000. Sales end on October 29 at 11:59 p.m. (or earlier if sold out), and it is valid through November 30.
- Tickets, weekends, public holidays and December 29–31: adults ¥2,500, junior and senior high school students ¥1,500, elementary school students ¥900, preschool children free. A date and time must be booked in advance for these days, and these tickets may sell out.
- Where to buy: ARTNE TICKET ONLINE (credit cards accepted) or Ticket PIA and 7-Eleven. Only tickets bought on ARTNE TICKET ONLINE can be changed, up to 3 times, before the entry time. Prices include tax.
- Same-day tickets: the venue sells same-day tickets only if advance tickets are not sold out. They cost ¥200 more for adults and ¥100 more for students and children, and the venue takes credit cards only.
- Rain and weather: the venue stays open in the rain. A storm warning, heavy rain warning or thunder advisory can delay opening, close the venue or pause it. Check the official social media for updates.
- Children and bags: children of junior high school age or younger need a guardian aged 18 or older, with one guardian for every three children. Large items such as carry-on suitcases cannot be brought in, and there is no storage.
- Getting there: about 8 minutes on foot from Akasaka Station or Ohorikoen Station (Fukuoka City Subway). From Nishitetsu bus stops Fukuokajo-Korokan-mae, Fukuokashi Bijutsukan Higashiguchi and Otemon and Heiwadai Rikujo Kyogijo-iriguchi it is 5 to 8 minutes on foot, and from Akasaka 3-chome 10 minutes.
Address: Maizuru Park, Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Jonai, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City. The official pages give an inquiry form but no phone number. Google Maps
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3. Nakasu Hikari no Advent, Fukuoka City
Christmas Advent Executive Committee
This is a lighting display on the Fukuhaku Deai Bridge in Nakasu, listed as one of the Christmas Advent sites. The Christmas Advent site lists it as an illumination, not as a market. It runs from Monday, November 2, 2026 to Tuesday, January 12, 2027, with lights on from 17:00 to 25:00. That makes it the longest-running Christmas Advent site in this guide. The official FAQ says entry is free.
- Getting there: about 5 minutes on foot from Nakasu-Kawabata Station or from Tenjin Station (both on the Kuko Line).
- Cars and bikes: the Christmas Advent FAQ says vehicles, including motorbikes, cannot enter or park at any site. It asks visitors to use nearby bicycle parking.
Address: Fukuhaku Deai Bridge, 6 Nishi-Nakasu, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City. The pages we checked give no phone number for this site. Google Maps
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4. Christmas Market in the City of Light, Hakata, Fukuoka City
Christmas Advent Executive Committee
The market fills JR Hakata Station Square with market stalls. It runs from Saturday, November 7 to Friday, December 25, 2026. Weekday hours are 16:00 to 23:00 and weekend and holiday hours are 12:00 to 23:00, with the last order at 22:45. The first day, November 7, opens at 16:00. On December 24 and 25 it opens at 12:00. The official FAQ says entry is free.
- Getting there: right outside the Hakata exit of JR Hakata Station. The Kuko and Nanakuma subway lines connect directly to the station.
- Payment: credit cards work. The FAQ also lists the e-money QUICPay, au PAY, d Barai, Rakuten Pay, SUGOCA and nimoca. A mug cannot be bought on its own.
- Food and drink: bringing in or taking out food and drink is banned on health center guidance.
- Toilets: use the ones inside Hakata Station or on the first basement floor of Amu Plaza Hakata.
Address: JR Hakata Station Square, 1-1 Hakata-ekichuogai, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. The pages we checked give no phone number for the market. Google Maps
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5. Hikari no Forest, Tenjin Central Park, Fukuoka City
Christmas Advent Executive Committee
Hikari no Forest is the lighting and market site in the prefectural Tenjin Central Park. The official page lists a large heart, a Santa train, nutcrackers and a flying Santa. It runs from Thursday, November 12 to Friday, December 25, 2026, and the lights stay on until 24:00. The market is open 17:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and 12:00 to 22:00 on weekends and holidays, with the last order at 21:45. The official FAQ says entry is free.
- Getting there: about 5 minutes on foot from Tenjin Station, about 3 minutes from Tenjin-Minami Station and about 3 minutes from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station.
- Pets: pets are allowed only in a carrier bag, cart or cage. The FAQ says leashed or carried pets are not allowed in.
Address: Prefectural Tenjin Central Park, 1-1 Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City. The pages we checked give no phone number for this site. Google Maps
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6. TENJIN CHRISTMAS ADVENT at Fukuoka City Hall West Fureai Plaza, Fukuoka City
Christmas Advent Executive Committee
The centerpiece is a light arch called Schwibbogen, which the official page links to the tradition of Seiffen village in Germany. You walk under it into the market. It runs from Saturday, November 14 to Saturday, December 26, 2026, and it is closed on November 28 and 29. November 14 and 15 are shared with another event. Weekday hours are 17:00 to 23:00 and weekend and holiday hours are 12:00 to 23:00, with the last order at 22:45. On Saturday, November 21 it closes early, at 21:30. On December 24 and 25 it opens at 12:00. The official FAQ says entry is free.
- Getting there: about 4 minutes on foot from Tenjin Station, about 3 minutes from Tenjin-Minami Station and about 4 minutes from Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station.
- Payment and food: the same Christmas Advent rules apply as in the Hakata section: credit cards and the listed e-money work, and outside food and drink is banned.
Address: Fukuoka City Hall West Fureai Plaza, 1-8-1 Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City. The pages we checked give no phone number for this site. Google Maps
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7. Kokura Illumination and Kokura Christmas Market, Kitakyushu
Kokura Illumination and Kokura Christmas Market & Castle committees
Kokura, in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, has two events that run side by side. The Kokura Illumination lights central Kokurakita Ward from November 20, 2026 to January 11, 2027, from 17:00 to 23:00. The page also notes that only some areas stay lit until 23:00, so lights in other areas may go off earlier. On the Ogai Bridge, this year’s lights are all white, running from the middle of the bridge to both banks. The page says the “light tunnel” returns, with twin towers. The KOKURA CHRISTMAS MARKET & CASTLE runs for 36 days, from November 20 to December 25, 2026, and entry is free.
- Market hours: weekdays 17:00 to 22:00 and weekends and holidays 12:00 to 22:00. From December 22 to 25 it opens at 15:00 and closes at 22:00.
- Market sites: Murasaki River Shinsui Plaza, about 11 minutes on foot from JR Kokura Station and about 5 minutes from JR Nishi-Kokura Station, and the plaza north of Kitakyushu City Hall, about 15 minutes from Kokura Station and about 3 minutes from Nishi-Kokura Station. The walking times come from the Christmas Advent site, which lists Kokura as its Kitakyushu site.
- Food and drink: the market’s page says bringing food and drink in is banned.
Address: Murasaki River Shinsui Plaza, 1-1 Muromachi, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City. Phone (the Kitakyushu Christmas Market committee, shared with the illumination secretariat): 093-591-1170 (in Japanese). Google Maps
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8. Kumamoto Castle night lighting, Kumamoto City
Kumamoto City (official Kumamoto Castle site)
Kumamoto Castle’s keep is lit at night. After the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake, the city says it is keeping the castle lit all night for the time being. It also says it resumed the colored lighting from September 2026 after pausing it. The official page lists two dates in the holiday season: December 24, with lighting in a requested color from sunset to 22:00 for a Kumamoto app event, and December 31, with white lights all night from sunset to sunrise.
- Normal pattern: a sunset effect starts 15 minutes after sunset. All lights are on until 23:00, a moonlight effect lights the top of the keep until 24:00, and a sunrise effect starts one hour before sunrise.
- Colored lighting in 2026: the page lists colors for awareness days and events on some dates, for example green on November 11 and yellow on December 3, usually from sunset to 22:00.
- Cost and entry: the lighting page does not give an admission fee or say whether you need a ticket to see the lights.
Address: 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City. Phone (Kumamoto Castle Operation Center, 9:00–17:00): 096-223-5011 (in Japanese). Google Maps For the castle visit itself, see our guide to the Kumamoto Castle area.
Note
We could not find a 2026 announcement for the arcade illumination in central Kumamoto City, known as Hikari no Pageant, or for a Christmas market at JR Kumamoto Station. The pages we found were for earlier years, so they are not listed here. Tourism listings name the Kumamoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the organizer of the arcade lights. Check its site and the JR Kumamoto City website in November.
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9. How do I choose?
- Already lit: Tenchika, in the Tenjin underground mall, and Kumamoto Castle.
- Late into the night: Tenchika and Nakasu are lit until 25:00. Hikari no Forest keeps its lights on until 24:00.
- Weekday evenings: the Christmas Advent sites open at 17:00, except the Hakata site at 16:00. They open at 12:00 on weekends and holidays.
- Booking needed: teamLab on weekends, public holidays and December 29–31. None of the other places here mentions reservations.
- Around Tenjin: Hikari no Forest and TENJIN CHRISTMAS ADVENT are each within about 5 minutes on foot of the Tenjin stations, and Tenchika is reached from the same three stations. Our guide to getting around Fukuoka City covers the subway and bus.
10. Common questions
Common questions
Do I pay to enter the Christmas Advent sites?
No. The official FAQ for each site says entry is free. A site’s limited-edition mug cannot be bought on its own.
Can I bring my own food or drink?
No. The Christmas Advent FAQ says bringing food and drink in or out is banned on health center guidance. The Kokura market’s page also says it is banned.
Can I come by car or motorbike?
No. The Christmas Advent FAQ says vehicles, including motorbikes, cannot enter or park at any site. It asks you to use nearby bicycle parking.
Can I bring my dog?
Only in a carrier bag, cart or cage. Leashed or carried pets are not allowed in the Christmas Advent sites. Check the other sites’ pages before you go.
Can I pay by card?
At the Christmas Advent sites, yes: credit cards and the e-money listed in the Hakata section. Kokura’s market page lists credit cards, d Barai, Rakuten Pay, au PAY at some stores, QUICPay, SUGOCA and nimoca. teamLab sells tickets online, and its venue takes credit cards only for same-day tickets.
Is teamLab open in the rain?
Yes, but a storm warning, heavy rain warning or thunder advisory can delay or stop it. The official social media channels post updates.
Related guides
Next steps
- Getting around Fukuoka City: subway, bus and train.
- Kumamoto Castle area.
- Huis Ten Bosch in autumn and winter 2026 (Nagasaki Prefecture, with its own winter lights).
Sources (checked October 2026)
6 pages we checked
- Tenjin Underground Mall, 50th anniversary illumination (August 19, 2026), Richesse monument (September 7, 2026) and access
- teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027 and teamLab press release (October 1, 2026)
- Christmas Advent official site with the pages for Hakata, Hikari no Forest and City Hall West (Nakasu and Kokura are in the venue list on the top page)
- Kokura Illumination 2026 and KOKURA CHRISTMAS MARKET & CASTLE
- Kumamoto Castle, tonight’s lighting and yearly schedule
- Mr.Weihnachtsmann press release (October 8, 2025), source of the market photos
Dates, hours and ticket prices can change, so check the official page before you go.
